Designing an Online Training Module to Develop Virtual and Blended International Modalities in Higher Education

Virtual and blended international collaboration activities, including Collaborative Online International Learning and Blended Intensive Programmes, offer inclusive and sustainable alternatives to traditional mobility programmes. Effective training programmes for teachers and administrative staff are indispensable to enhance the higher education institutions’ capability to implement similar activities. This paper introduces an online training module aimed at providing higher education teachers and staff with competencies to implement virtual and blended modalities of international collaboration. The module is designed according to the principles of the Self-Determination Theory and the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model. The paper explores whether the design of the module is effective in creating a valuable learning experience and what its strengths and areas for improvement are. Results were derived from 150 responses to the final survey questions completed by participants who completed the online training module, analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings show that the autonomy, structure, and involvement support were perceived as effective in achieving the desired learning outcomes. The results offer valuable insights into the design of training modules for higher education staff to develop international collaboration modalities.